Suraj wins at Ascot; creates history

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

In a feat never before achieved by an Indian rider, Suraj Narredu etched his name into racing history by guiding Fireblade to victory in the Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap) at the world-famous Ascot Racecourse on Saturday. Not only was he making his debut in the prestigious Shergar Cup, he did so as captain of Team Asia—and led them to an unforgettable team championship win by the narrowest of margins.

 

For Suraj, who boasts over 2,400 career wins and more than 100 Indian Classics, this was the crowning jewel of a career that has conquered every major race on home soil. His victory at Ascot was named the “Ride of the Day,” earning him an additional trophy and the admiration of racing fans across continents.

 

It was fitting that the boy who once idolised Frankie Dettori—vowing to emulate the legendary jockey’s trademark flying dismount—found himself soaring in celebration on the very turf where Dettori’s “Magnificent Seven” had become legend. Suraj’s leap wasn’t picture-perfect on landing, but it captured the raw joy of a long-held dream fulfilled.

 

The day’s drama was equally compelling off the saddle. Mirai Iwata’s second-place finish in the final race sealed the championship in one of the tightest contests in Shergar Cup history—68 points to Europe’s 67.

 

For Suraj, the win was years in the making. Ambitious and restless, he has tested his skills across the USA, Australia, Mauritius, and beyond, always chasing the chance to prove himself on the world’s biggest stages. Ascot was the ultimate validation: an Indian jockey matching the world’s elite on one of racing’s most hallowed grounds.

 

“This is absolutely brilliant; it’s a dream come true,” he said. “To ride in Ascot and to have a winner, and to do it for India—it’s something else entirely. I think we proved something today.”

 

Prove something, he did. Suraj Narredu’s triumph at Ascot wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. For Indian racing, it was a proud moment; for Suraj, it was a promise to himself kept in spectacular style.

 

Remarkably, all six races in the annual team competition produced different winning jockeys, with Hugh Bowman—famed for his partnership with the legendary Winx—claiming the Silver Saddle as the event’s leading rider.

 

 

 

 

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